Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has confirmed that the government backs the plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, claiming it could create 100,000 jobs.
Reeves said: “A third runway is badly needed,” and added that “[The government] cannot duck the decision any longer”.
She later made a statement inviting proposals for the expansion.
“I can confirm today that this government supports a third runway at Heathrow and is inviting proposals to be be brought forward by the summer,
“We will then take forward a full assessment through the airport national policy statement.
“This will ensure that the project is value for money and our clear expectation is that any associated service transport costs will be financed through private funding.
“It will ensure that a third runway is delivered in line with our legal, environmental and climate objectives.”
The Mayor of London, Labour’s Sadiq Khan, continued to make his opposition to the potential plans clear;
“Let’s wait and see what the proposals are from Heathrow – but if they don’t meet the objections I’ve set out, I won’t hesitate in working cross-party, working with communities and working with councils to challenge Heathrow Airport.”
When asked if this challenge could take place in the courts, he said: “We will use whatever means we can.”
Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, says the government plans are “sensible”, but pointed out that the plans are not exactly new.
He pointed out that it has been a long time in the making, with many “stop-starts”. A third runway first got government approval in 2009.
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